SUMMIT RACING TEAM WORKING OVERTIME TO CONTINUE
WINNING WAYS AT EPPING RACE.
Mooresville, NC (June 1, 2016)— This weekend at the New England Nationals in Epping, New Hampshire Jason Line and Greg Anderson want to put their KB Racing Chevrolet Camaros back in the Winner’s Circle and bring team Summit Racing’s winning streak to nine-in-a-row.
Greg Anderson is the defending Pro Stock champion there and hopes to keep the title. If Jason Line makes it to the final round in Epping, he would join legendary drivers Bob Glidden and the late Lee Shepherd as the only Pro Stock drivers to make it to nine consecutive final rounds in a season.
The Summit Racing/KB Racing team dominance over this season did not happen overnight. It’s been a hard-fought journey, with dyno pulls, testing, and lots of hours over the winter months to meet the NHRA mandated changes to the Pro Stock class.
“People say that we’re the ones who complained the most about the new rules,” said Line. “We didn’t ask for this change, but we’ve embraced it the best we could. We’ve been very fortunate. We’re working hard to make both Summit Chevy Camaros faster because the other teams will get faster, too.”
“It took a ton of work. It was a huge mountain to climb with all the rule changes,” added Anderson. “It was ugly in November and December. We put in more hours this winter than any I can remember. We had to completely change the top of our engines. We had to redesign the front of the car to make room for the new air duct system. These cars aren’t built in a day.”
One huge factor that contributed to their success: KB Racing has their own engine shop.
“When you own your own shop it speeds up the process; you don’t have to wait on vendors for parts and equipment,” said Anderson. “Being able to do everything in-house saves so much critical time.”
“The other teams, they’re getting better every week,” said Line. “No one wants to get beat up that many races in a row. We know they’re working hard.”
Anderson added, “We’ve watched two or three teams make huge strides the last few weeks. There are still big gains to be made with these redesigned cars. We’re working harder to keep the gap between us.”
“I have to do a good job there,” said Line. “Epping is going to be a big challenge. If we can make the final round, that would be nothing short of phenomenal.”
So in the end, how does Team Summit feel about winning eight-of-eight NHRA Mello Yello Drag racing series events?
“It’s cool! We are surprised and shocked. If you would have asked us a month ago if we would take the first eight races of the season we would’ve said that would be great, but we didn’t think it could really happen,” said Anderson. “It’s a great start to the 2016 season.”
As for Line and Anderson’s Summit Racing Teammate in Nitro Funny Car, Tim Wilkerson will be racing the car he affectionately calls “Bessie” for the NHRA New England Nationals. Just two weeks ago, a bizarre accident caused his Levi, Ray & Shoup Shelby Mustang to crash into two walls.
“We are lucky enough to have a loaner car so we can compete in Epping,” said Wilkerson. “Right after the crash in Topeka I had so many people and teams offer help. Force, Schumacher, Kalitta and Tasca all said I could use one of their cars. That really shows the sportsmanship and generosity of the NHRA Drag Racing community. I am just overwhelmed.”
In the semifinal round in Topeka, Wilkerson’s car made a right turn after taking off from the starting line and hit the wall. With one tire still spinning, the Funny Car spun around and hit the other wall.
“Right now the new car, the one that went into the wall at Topeka, is at Murf McKinney’s shop getting front-halfed,” said Wilkerson. “The biggest obstacle is that we only had one good body for that car, so Murf is also working to get it mounted for us.”
The Ford Shelby Mustang Wilkerson will be driving in Epping won the NHRA race in Phoenix this past February. Wilkerson sold that Funny Car to Brian Stewart, who drove it in Topeka and Wilkerson’s son Daniel raced it in Charlotte.